Apparatus and method for automatically applying weight material to a wheel

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for applying weight material onto a wheel may include a conveyor assembly, upper and lower severing-head assemblies, and upper and lower control arms. The severing-head assemblies may be mounted above and below the conveyor assembly and may include a housing, a severing device and a dispensing mechanism. The dispensing mechanism may position the weight material from a source relative to the severing device. The severing device may separate a predetermined amount of weight material from a source. The control arms may be movably mounted above and below the conveyor assembly and have weight-application tools configured to transfer the predetermined amounts of weight material from the severing-head assemblies to locations on the wheel.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the automatic dispensing and applyingof weight material to a wheel, in particular to balancing a wheel (e.g.,an automobile tire and rim) with such a weight material, moreparticularly to an apparatus and method for automatically dispensing andapplying weight material to a wheel, even more particularly to such anapparatus and method for automatically dispensing and applying two ormore types of wheel balancing weights to balance one or more types ofwheels, and also more particularly to such an apparatus and method forautomatically dispensing two or more types of weight material,separating (e.g., by severing) wheel balancing weights from the two ormore types of weight material and applying the wheel balancing weightsto balance one or more types of wheels.

BACKGROUND

The background description provided here is for the purpose of generallypresenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently namedinventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, aswell as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify asprior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedlyadmitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

Rotational imbalance in a wheel (e.g., a vehicle wheel) can causevibrations and/or uneven wear when the wheel spins during use.Therefore, prior to installation on the vehicle, one or more weights maybe applied to the wheel to correct such rotational imbalance. Balancingmachines have been used to determine which location(s) on the wheelrequire additional weight to rotationally balance the wheel. Based onthis information, one or more pieces of a weight material can be appliedto the wheel at the identified locations. Equipment for automaticallydispensing and applying a balancing weight to the rim of an automobiletire is known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,943,940 discloses such anapparatus for use in balancing a wheel.

The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for applyingweight material onto a wheel at one or more predetermined locations onthe wheel.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides an apparatus for applyinga weight to a wheel, with the apparatus comprising at least one severingdevice capable of separating a piece of desired weight from each of atleast two provided lengths of weight materials, and

at least one weight application device capable of applying a severedpiece from each of at least two different weight materials to adifferent location on a wheel.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an apparatus forapplying a weight material onto a wheel. The apparatus may include aframe, a severing-head assembly, an implementation or control arm, and aconveyor assembly or device. The severing-head assembly may be mountedon the frame and may include a housing, a severing assembly or device(e.g., a cutting device that uses a blade, laser, etc.), and adispensing mechanism. The dispensing mechanism may position apredetermined amount of the weight material relative to the severingdevice. The severing device may be mounted for movement relative to thehousing to separate the predetermined amount of the weight material froma source (e.g., a spool) of the weight material. The control arm mayinclude a first end movably mounted to the frame and a second end havinga weight-application tool configured to transfer the predeterminedamount of weight material from the severing-head assembly to the wheel.The conveyor assembly may be mounted on the frame and may include afirst conveyor actuator, a second conveyor actuator, a first continuousbelt, a second continuous belt, a plurality of first rollers mounted ona first base member and supporting the first continuous belt forcontinuous-loop movement relative to the first base member, a pluralityof second rollers mounted on a second base member and supporting thesecond continuous belt for continuous-loop movement relative to thesecond base member. The first conveyor actuator may drive at least oneof the first rollers and at least one of the second rollers. The secondconveyor actuator may drive the first base member relative to the secondbase member in a direction that is parallel to rotational axes of thefirst and second rollers to adjust a spacing between the first andsecond continuous belts.

In some configurations, at least one of the first and second basemembers is slidably mounted on a plurality of rails.

In some configurations, the conveyor assembly includes a shaft that isrotatable relative to the first and second base members and rotationallyfixed relative to the at least one of the first rollers and the at leastone of the second rollers.

In some configurations, the at least one of the second rollers isslidable along an axial length of the shaft.

In some configurations, the conveyor assembly includes a linkage movablycoupling the first and second base members to each other. The shaft maybe disposed at a first side of the frame, and the linkage may bedisposed at a second side of the frame opposite the first side.

In some configurations, the linkage includes a first link, a second linkpivotably attached to a first end of the first link and pivotablyattached to the first base member, and a third link pivotably attachedto a second end of the first link and pivotably attached to the secondbase member. An intermediate portion of the first link may be pivotablyattached relative to the frame.

In some configurations, the first conveyor actuator is attached to oneof the first and second base members and is movable with the one of thefirst and second base members relative to the other of the first andsecond base members in response to actuation of the second conveyoractuator.

In some configurations, the dispensing mechanism includes a dispensingactuator, a drive roller, an engagement actuator, and a freely-rotatingengagement roller. The dispensing actuator may rotatably drive the driveroller about a rotational axis of the drive roller. The drive roller maycontact a first side of the weight material. The freely-rotatingengagement roller may contact a second opposite side of the weightmaterial. The engagement actuator may translate the freely-rotatingengagement roller in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis ofthe drive roller.

In some configurations, the dispensing mechanism includes anothersevering device, a pair of severing-device actuators, another engagementactuator, and another freely-rotating engagement roller. Thesevering-device actuators may be operable independently of each other tomove the severing devices independently of each other. The engagementactuators may be operable independently of each other to translate thefreely-rotating engagement rollers independently of each other toselectively and independently cause movement of two different sources(e.g., spools) of weight material.

In some configurations, the severing-head assembly includes a pair ofsevering devices, and the housing includes first and second lanesreceiving first and second predetermined amounts of weight material,respectively. One of the severing devices may separate the firstpredetermined amount of weight material from a first source (e.g.,spool) of weight material. Another one of the severing devices mayseparate the second predetermined amount of weight material from asecond source (e.g., spool) of weight material. The dispensing mechanismmay drive the first and second predetermined amounts of weight materialthrough the first and second lanes.

In some configurations, the severing-head assembly includes aliner-guide pin and a plurality of tensioning rollers. The liner-guidepin may be disposed between the severing device and the dispensingmechanism and defines a passageway through which the predeterminedamount of the weight material passes while a liner of the weightmaterial wraps around the liner-guide pin and separates from the weightmaterial. The tensioning rollers may engage the removed liner. Two ofthe tensioning rollers may be translationally fixed relative to thehousing. One of the tensioning rollers may be translatable relative tothe housing and may be spring biased into engagement with the removedliner.

In some configurations, the severing-head assembly includes acantilevered weight-material guide that is fixed relative to thehousing. The weight-material guide may include a first end, a second endand a curved guide surface extending between the first and second ends.The first end may be disposed proximate a weight-material-outlet of thehousing through which the predetermined amount of the weight materialpasses below the severing device. The guide surface may extend away fromthe housing to the second end of the weight-material guide.

In some configurations, the weight-application tool includes a curvedengagement surface that engages the weight material and faces the guidesurface of the weight-material guide during a transfer of the weightmaterial to the weight-application tool.

In some configurations, the engagement surface has a curvature thatmatches a curvature of the guide surface.

In some configurations, the weight-application tool includes anengagement surface having shape that is curved about a first axis andtwisted about a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis.

In some configurations, the weight-application tool includes anengagement surface that engages the weight material, the engagementsurface having helical shape.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an apparatus forapplying weight material onto a wheel. The apparatus may include aframe, a severing-head assembly or device, and an implementation orcontrol arm. The severing-head assembly may be mounted to the frame andincluding a housing, a dispensing mechanism, a first severing device anda second severing device. The housing may include first and second lanesreceiving first and second predetermined amounts of weight material,respectively. The first severing device may separate the firstpredetermined amount of weight material from a first source (e.g.,spool) of weight material. The second severing device may separate thesecond predetermined amount of weight material from a second source ofweight material. The dispensing mechanism may drive the first and secondpredetermined amounts of weight material through the first and secondlanes. The control arm may be movably mounted to the frame and mayinclude a weight-application tool transferring the first and secondpredetermined amounts of weight material from the severing-head assemblyto first and second locations on the wheel.

In some configurations, the weight material of the first source includesa first cross-sectional shape, and the weight material of the secondsource includes a second cross-sectional shape.

In some configurations, the weight material of the first source is adifferent material that the weight material of the second source.

In some configurations, the weight-application tool includes first andsecond engagement surfaces that simultaneously engage the first andsecond predetermined amounts of weight material, respectively.

In some configurations, the first and second engagement surfaces have acommon axis of curvature. In some configurations, the first and secondengagement surfaces have parallel axes of curvature.

In some configurations, the first and second engagement surfaces havefirst and second axes of curvature, respectively, that are perpendicularto each other.

In some configurations, the apparatus includes a conveyor assembly ordevice mounted on the frame and including a first conveyor actuator, asecond conveyor actuator, a first continuous belt, a second continuousbelt, a plurality of first rollers mounted on a first base member andsupporting the first continuous belt for continuous-loop movementrelative to the first base member, a plurality of second rollers mountedon a second base member and supporting the second continuous belt forcontinuous-loop movement relative to the second base member. The firstconveyor actuator may drive at least one of the first rollers and atleast one of the second rollers. The second conveyor actuator may drivethe first base member relative to the second base member in a directionthat is parallel to rotational axes of the first and second rollers toadjust a spacing between the first and second continuous belts.

In some configurations, at least one of the first and second basemembers is slidably mounted on a plurality of rails.

In some configurations, the first conveyor actuator is attached to oneof the first and second base members and is movable with the one of thefirst and second base members relative to the other of the first andsecond base members in response to actuation of the second conveyoractuator.

In some configurations, the conveyor assembly includes a shaft that isrotatable relative to the first and second base members and rotationallyfixed relative to the at least one of the first rollers and the at leastone of the second rollers.

In some configurations, the at least one of the second rollers isslidable along an axial length of the shaft.

In some configurations, the conveyor assembly includes a linkage movablycoupling the first and second base members to each other. The shaft maybe disposed at a first side of the frame, and the linkage may bedisposed at a second side of the frame opposite the first side.

In some configurations, the linkage includes a first link, a second linkpivotably attached to a first end of the first link and pivotablyattached to the first base member, and a third link pivotably attachedto a second end of the first link and pivotably attached to the secondbase member. An intermediate portion of the first link may be pivotablyattached relative to the frame.

In some configurations, the dispensing mechanism includes a dispensingactuator, a drive roller, first and second engagement actuators, andfirst and second freely-rotating engagement rollers. The dispensingactuator may rotatably drive the drive roller about a rotational axis ofthe drive roller. The drive roller may contact a first side of weightmaterial from the first and second sources. The first freely-rotatingengagement roller may contact a second opposite side of the weightmaterial from the first source. The second freely-rotating engagementroller may contact a second opposite side of the weight material fromthe second source. The first engagement actuator may translate the firstfreely-rotating engagement roller in a direction perpendicular to therotational axis of the drive roller. The second engagement actuator maytranslate the second freely-rotating engagement roller in the directionperpendicular to the rotational axis of the drive roller.

In some configurations, the severing-head assembly includes aliner-guide pin and a plurality of tensioning rollers. The liner-guidepin may be disposed between the severing device and the dispensingmechanism and may define a passageway through which the predeterminedamount of the weight material passes while a liner of the weightmaterial wraps around the liner-guide pin and separates from the weightmaterial. The tensioning rollers may engage the removed liner. Two ofthe tensioning rollers may be translationally fixed relative to thehousing. One of the tensioning rollers may be translatable relative tothe housing and spring biased into engagement with the removed liner.

In some configurations, the severing-head assembly includes acantilevered weight-material guide that is fixed relative to thehousing. The weight-material guide may include a first end, a second endand a curved guide surface extending between the first and second ends.The first end may be disposed proximate a weight-material-outlet of thehousing through which the predetermined amount of the weight materialpasses below the severing device. The guide surface may extend away fromthe housing to the second end of the weight-material guide.

In some configurations, the weight-application tool includes a curvedengagement surface that engages the weight material and faces the guidesurface of the weight-material guide during a transfer of the weightmaterial to the weight-application tool.

In some configurations, the engagement surface has a curvature thatmatches a curvature of the guide surface.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an apparatus forapplying weight material onto a wheel. The apparatus may include aframe, a conveyor assembly or device, upper and lower severing-headassemblies, and upper and lower control arms. The conveyor assembly ismounted on the frame. The upper severing-head assembly may be mounted onthe frame above the conveyor assembly and may include a first housing, afirst severing device and a first dispensing mechanism. The firstdispensing mechanism may position a first predetermined amount of weightmaterial from a first source relative to the first severing device. Thefirst severing device may be mounted for movement relative to the firsthousing to separate the first predetermined amount of weight materialfrom the first source. The upper control arm may include a first endmovably mounted to the frame above the conveyor assembly and a secondend having a first weight-application tool configured to transfer thefirst predetermined amount of weight material from the uppersevering-head assembly to a first location on the wheel. The lowersevering-head assembly may be mounted on the frame below the conveyorassembly and may include a second housing, a second severing device, athird severing device and a second dispensing mechanism. The secondhousing may include first and second lanes receiving second and thirdpredetermined amounts of weight material from second and third sources,respectively. The second dispensing mechanism may drive the second andthird predetermined amounts of weight material through the first andsecond lanes. The second severing device may be mounted for movementrelative to the second housing to separate the second predeterminedamount of weight material from the second source. The third severingdevice may be mounted for movement relative to the second housing toseparate the third predetermined amount of weight material from thethird source. The lower control arm may include a first end movablymounted to the frame below the conveyor assembly and a second end havingsecond and third weight-application tools configured to transfer thesecond and third predetermined amounts of weight material from the lowersevering-head assembly to second and third locations on the wheel.

In some configurations, the conveyor assembly includes a first conveyoractuator, a second conveyor actuator, a first continuous belt, a secondcontinuous belt, a plurality of first rollers mounted on a first basemember and supporting the first continuous belt for continuous-loopmovement relative to the first base member, and a plurality of secondrollers mounted on a second base member and supporting the secondcontinuous belt for continuous-loop movement relative to the second basemember. The first conveyor actuator may drive at least one of the firstrollers and at least one of the second rollers. The second conveyoractuator may drive the first base member relative to the second basemember in a direction that is parallel to rotational axes of the firstand second rollers to adjust a spacing between the first and secondcontinuous belts.

In some configurations, at least one of the first and second basemembers is slidably mounted on a plurality of rails.

In some configurations, the first conveyor actuator is attached to oneof the first and second base members and is movable with the one of thefirst and second base members relative to the other of the first andsecond base members in response to actuation of the second conveyoractuator.

In some configurations, the conveyor assembly includes a shaft that isrotatable relative to the first and second base members and rotationallyfixed relative to the at least one of the first rollers and the at leastone of the second rollers.

In some configurations, the at least one of the second rollers isslidable along an axial length of the shaft.

In some configurations, the conveyor assembly includes a linkage movablycoupling the first and second base members to each other. The shaft maybe disposed at a first side of the frame, and the linkage may bedisposed at a second side of the frame opposite the first side.

In some configurations, the linkage includes a first link, a second linkpivotably attached to a first end of the first link and pivotablyattached to the first base member, and a third link pivotably attachedto a second end of the first link and pivotably attached to the secondbase member. An intermediate portion of the first link may be pivotablyattached relative to the frame.

In some configurations, the second dispensing mechanism includes adispensing actuator, a drive roller, first and second engagementactuators, and first and second freely-rotating engagement rollers. Thedispensing actuator may rotatably drive the drive roller about arotational axis of the drive roller. The drive roller may contact afirst side of weight material from the first and second sources. Thefirst freely-rotating engagement roller may contact a second oppositeside of the weight material from the second source. The he secondfreely-rotating engagement roller may contact a second opposite side ofthe weight material from the third source. The first engagement actuatormay translate the first freely-rotating engagement roller in a directionperpendicular to the rotational axis of the drive roller. The secondengagement actuator may translate the second freely-rotating engagementroller in the direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of thedrive roller.

In some configurations, each of the upper and lower severing-headassemblies includes a liner-guide pin and a plurality of tensioningrollers. The liner-guide pin may be disposed between the severing deviceand the dispensing mechanism and may define a passageway through whichthe predetermined amount of the weight material passes while a liner ofthe weight material wraps around the liner-guide pin and separates fromthe weight material. The tensioning rollers may engage the removedliner. Two of the tensioning rollers may be translationally fixedrelative to the housing. One of the tensioning rollers may be springbiased into engagement with the removed liner.

In some configurations, at least one of the upper and lowersevering-head assemblies includes a cantilevered weight-material guidethat includes a first end, a second end and a curved guide surfaceextending between the first and second ends.

In some configurations, one of the first, second and thirdweight-application tools includes a curved engagement surface thatengages weight material and faces the guide surface of theweight-material guide during a transfer of the weight material to theweight-application tool.

In some configurations, the engagement surface has a curvature thatmatches a curvature of the guide surface.

These and other aspects, features and/or advantages of the invention arefurther shown and described in the drawings and detailed descriptionherein, where like reference numerals are used to represent similarparts. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings anddescription are for illustration purposes only and should not be read ina manner that would unduly limit the scope of this invention.

The terms “comprises” and variations thereof do not have a limitingmeaning where these terms appear in the description and claims.

The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of theinvention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances.However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same orother circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or morepreferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are notuseful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scopeof the invention.

As used herein, “a,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” areused interchangeably. Thus, for example, a nanoparticle that comprises“a” fluorescent molecule-binding group can be interpreted to mean thatthe nanoparticle includes “one or more” fluorescent molecule-bindinggroups.

As used herein, “a,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” areused interchangeably. Thus, for example, a nanoparticle that comprises“a” fluorescent molecule-binding group can be interpreted to mean thatthe nanoparticle includes “one or more” fluorescent molecule-bindinggroups.

The term “and/or” means one or all of the listed elements or acombination of any two or more of the listed elements (e.g., preventingand/or treating an affliction means preventing, treating, or bothtreating and preventing further afflictions).

As used herein, the term “or” is generally employed in its senseincluding “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

subsumed within that range (1 to 5 includes, e.g., 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3,3.80, 4, 5, etc.).

The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describeeach disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the presentinvention. The description that follows more particularly exemplifiesillustrative embodiments. In several places throughout the application,guidance is provided through examples, which examples may be used invarious combinations. In each instance, the recited examples serve onlyas a representative group and should not necessarily be interpreted asan exclusive list of examples.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for dispensing and applyingweight material to a wheel according to the principles of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conveyor assembly of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the conveyor assembly;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a drive linkage of the conveyorassembly;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a wheel-crowder assembly of theapparatus;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the wheel-crowder assembly engaging a wheel;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of two spools of weight material androllers that drive the weight material off of the spools;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a severing-head assembly of the apparatus;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the severing-head assembly;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the severing-head assembly withportions of a housing and guide blocks removed;

FIG. 13 is a partial side view of the severing-head assembly;

FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of the severing-head assembly;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the severing-head assembly with amaterial guide mounted thereto;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the severing-head assembly, materialguide, and a weight-application tool of the apparatus;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the weight-application tool;

FIG. 18 is another perspective view of the weight-application tool;

FIG. 19 is a side view of the weight-application tool;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of another weight-application tool of theapparatus;

FIG. 21 is a partial perspective view of the weight application tool ofFIG. 19 ;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a wheel having a plurality ofpieces of weight material applied thereto;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of another weight-application toolaccording to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 is another perspective view of the weight-application tool ofFIG. 22 ; and

FIG. 25 is a side view of the weight-application tool of FIG. 22 .

In the drawings, reference numbers may be reused to identify similarand/or identical elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3 , an apparatus 10 is provided that may applyone or more strips of one or more weight materials 12 onto a wheel 14(FIG. 22 ) to rotationally balance the wheel 14. The apparatus 10 mayinclude a frame 16, a conveyor assembly 18, a wheel-crowder assembly 20,a lower severing-head assembly 22, an upper severing-head assembly 24, alower weight-application apparatus 26, and an upper weight-applicationapparatus 28. As will be described in more detail below, the conveyorassembly 18 may move the wheel 14 into a predetermined position. Thewheel-crowder assembly 20 may center and hold the wheel 14 (FIGS. 8 and22 ) on the conveyor assembly 18. The lower and/or upper severing-headassemblies 22, 24 may dispense and cut predetermined lengths of one ormore types of weight material 12 from one or more sources such as, e.g.,spools 30 (FIG. 9 ) of the weight material 12. It can be desirable touse a dispensing device capable of dispensing provided lengths of two ormore weight materials to the severing device, with each length ofprovided weight material being severed into pieces of a desired weight.The weight-application apparatuses 26, 28 may apply the one or morelengths of the weight material 12 onto one or more predeterminedlocations on the wheel 14 (FIG. 22 ) to rotationally balance the wheel14. The one or more types of weight material 12 can include weightmaterials having different cross-sectional profiles (FIG. 22 showsweight materials with first and second cross-sectional profiles) and/ordifferent material compositions.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3 , the frame 16 may include a lower frame assembly32, an intermediate frame assembly 34 and an upper frame assembly 36.The frame assemblies 32, 34, 36 can be fixed to each other by fasteners38 and/or welding, for example. The lower severing-head assembly 22 andthe lower weight-application apparatus 26 may be mounted to the lowerframe assembly 32. The conveyor assembly 18 and the wheel-crowderassembly 20 may be mounted to the intermediate frame assembly 34. Theupper severing-head assembly 24 and the upper weight-applicationapparatus 28 may be mounted to the upper frame assembly 36. The lowerframe assembly 32 may support the intermediate and upper frameassemblies 34, 36. The intermediate frame assembly 34 may be disposedvertically between the lower and upper frame assemblies 32, 36.

The frame assemblies 32, 34, 36 may have a modular construction thatallows the user to configure the apparatus 10 in a desired manner. Forexample, the user may configure the apparatus 10 in the manner shown inFIGS. 1-3 (i.e., with the lower, intermediate and upper frame assemblies32, 34, 36 and the components and assemblies mounted thereto); or theapparatus 10 could be configured with only one of the lower and upperframe assemblies 32, 36 if only one of the lower and upper severing-headassemblies 22, 24 and only one of the lower and upper weight-applicationapparatuses 26, 28 are needed or desired for the user's particularapplication.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6 , the conveyor assembly 18 may include a baseframe 40, first and second movable base platforms 42, 44, a firstcontinuous belt (i.e., conveyor belt) 46, a second continuous belt(i.e., conveyor belt) 48, a first drive mechanism 50, and a second drivemechanism 52. The base frame 40 may be fixedly mounted to theintermediate frame assembly 36 and may support the first and secondmovable base platforms 42, 44, the first and second continuous belts 46,48, and the first and second drive mechanisms 50, 52. The first andsecond base platforms 42, 44 may be slidably mounted on first and secondpairs of parallel guide rails 54, 55 that are fixed relative to the baseframe 40.

The first drive mechanism 50 may include a first actuator 56, a splineddrive shaft 58, first and second drive rollers 60, 62, and first andsecond freely rotating rollers 64, 66. The first actuator 56 may be arotary motor (e.g., with a rotor and a stator) and may be mounted on thefirst base platform 42 and may drivingly engage the drive shaft 58 via adrive belt 70 and/or other transmission device (e.g., a chain, gears,etc.). Each of the first and second base platforms 42, 44 may includeone or more journal bearings 72 that rotatably support the drive shaft58. The first and second drive rollers 60, 62 are rotationally fixed tothe drive shaft 58 (i.e., so that the drive rollers 60, 62 rotate withthe drive shaft 58) and slidable along the length of the drive shaft 58(i.e., slidable along the rotational axis of the drive shaft 58).

The first continuous belt 46 is looped around and frictionally engagesthe first drive roller 60 and the first freely rotating roller 64. Thesecond continuous belt 48 is looped around and frictionally engages thesecond drive roller 62 and the second freely rotating roller 66. One ormore tensioner rollers 74 may engage the first and second continuousbelts 46, 48.

The first actuator 56 may be operable in first and second oppositedirections such that operation of the first actuator 56 causescorresponding rotation of the drive shaft 58 and the drive rollers 60,62, which propels the belts 46, 48 in a continuous loop around the driverollers 60, 62 and the freely rotating rollers 64, 66 in directionsperpendicular to the rotational axis of the drive shaft 58. As will bedescribed in more detail below, the belts 46, 48 may support the wheel14 and may move the wheel 14 into and out of the apparatus 10.

The second drive mechanism 52 may include a second actuator 67 and adrive linkage 68 (FIGS. 5 and 6 ). The second actuator 67 can be alinear motor or a hydraulic or pneumatic linear actuator, for example,and may include a first end 69 attached to the first base platform 42and a second end 71 attached to the second base platform 44. In someconfigurations, one end 69, 71 may be attached to the base frame 40 andthe other end 69, 71 may be attached to one of the base platforms 42,44.

The drive linkage 68 (FIGS. 5 and 6 ) may extend between and engage thefirst and second base platforms 42, 44 and is disposed on an oppositeside of the base frame 40 from the drive shaft 58. The drive linkage 68may include a first link 76, a second link 78, and a third link 80. Thefirst link 76 may be mounted to the base frame 40 and is rotatablerelative to the base frame 40 about a rotational axis extending throughan intermediate portion 82 of the first link 76. A first end 84 of thesecond link 78 is rotatably attached to one end 86 of the first link 76.A second end 88 of the second link 78 is rotatably attached to the firstbase platform 42. A first end 90 of the third link 80 is rotatablyattached to the opposite end 92 of the first link 76. A second end 94 ofthe third link 80 is rotatably attached to the second base platform 44.

The second actuator 67 is movable in first and second oppositedirections to move the ends 69, 71 of the second actuator 67 toward andaway from each other. Operation of the second actuator 67 moves thefirst and second base platform 42, 44 toward and away from each other,thereby moving the first and second continuous belts 46, 48 toward andaway from each other in linear directions parallel to the rotationalaxis of the drive shaft 58. The drive linkage 68 moves as the first andsecond base platforms 42, 44 move toward and away from each other toensure that movement of opposite ends of the base platforms 42, 44 issynchronized so that the base platforms 42, 44 do not bind on the rails54, 55.

The conveyor assembly 18 may also include two sets of support rollers 96(FIG. 4 ) that prevent smaller diameter wheels from falling between thecontinuous belts 46, 48. The sets of rollers 96 may be positioned onopposite sides of the base frame 40 along a centerline midway betweenthe continuous belts 46, 48. The sets of rollers 96 may be fixed inposition along the centerline, and may be adjustable vertically relativeto the base frame 40.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8 , the wheel-crowder assembly 20 may bemounted to the intermediate frame assembly 34 above the conveyorassembly 18. The wheel-crowder assembly 20 may be capable of securingthe wheel 14 against any movement or at least significant movement(e.g., rotation) relative to the frame 16 during the application of theweight material 12 onto the wheel 14 by one or both of theweight-application apparatuses 26, 28. Movement of the wheel 14 duringthe application of the weight material 12 is significant if suchmovement negatively impacts the accurate placement of the pieces ofweight material 12 on the wheel 14 (i.e., if the wheel 14 cannot beacceptably balanced by the placement of the weight material pieces 12).The wheel-crowder assembly 20 may align or center a wheel reference axis(e.g., the axis of rotation) of the wheel 14 with a machine referenceaxis of the apparatus 10, the lower or upper severing-head assembly 22,24, the lower or upper weight-application apparatus 26, 28, thewheel-crowder assembly 20, or a reference axis shared with two or morethereof. An example wheel-crowder assembly can be found in U.S. Pat. No.8,943,940, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

In some configurations, the wheel-crowder assembly 20 can include aplurality of posts 98 (e.g., freely rotating rollers) that can be movedinto a position to grip the outer radial periphery of the wheel 14 (asshown in FIG. 8 ) to center or align the wheel reference axis of thewheel 14 with the machine reference axis, while minimizing rotation ofthe wheel 14 during such aligning. Each of the posts 98 may be mountedon a distal end of an arm 100. In the configuration shown in thefigures, there are two pairs (i.e., four) of such post 98 mounted on twopairs of corresponding arms 100. Proximal ends of the arms 100 formingeach pair of arms 100 are mounted to a gear set 102 (FIG. 7 ) thatcauses the arms 100 in each pair to move together (in synchronizedmotion), when either arm 100 is moved. The two gear sets 102 may bemounted on a frame 103 attached to the intermediate frame assembly 34.

The two gear sets 102 may be linked together by a synchronizationlinkage 104 that causes simultaneous movement of all of the arms 100,and thereby the posts 98, using an actuator 106. The synchronizationlinkage 104 may include a first link 108 coupled to one of the gear sets102, a second link 110 coupled to the other gear set 102, and a crossbar 115 rotatably coupled to the first and second links 108, 110. Theactuator 106 can be any suitable actuating means such as, for example,an electric cylinder, stepper motor, servo motor, or air cylinder. Theactuator 106 may be mounted on the frame 103 and operably connected toone of the gear sets 102, the synchronization linkage 104, or to any oneof the arms 100 such that operation of the actuator 106 causessimultaneous movement of all of the arms 100 toward the wheel 14 untilthe posts 98 are moved into snug contact with the outer circumferentialsurface of the wheel 14, thereby aligning the wheel reference axis withthe machine reference axis.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-14 , the lower severing-head assembly 22 maydispense and cut one or more predetermined amounts of weight material 12from the one or more spools 30 (FIG. 9 ) of weight material. The lowersevering-head assembly 22 also removes a liner (or backing material) 13(FIGS. 11-13 ) from the weight material 12 to expose an adhesive layer15 (FIG. 13 ) on the weight material 12 that bonds the weight material12 to the wheel 14.

As shown in FIGS. 10-13 , the lower severing-head assembly 22 mayinclude a housing 114, a dispensing mechanism 116, a first severingdevice in the form of a first cutting device 118 (that uses or is, e.g.,a cutting blade, a laser cutter, a water jet cutter, and/or any othercutting or severing tool), a second severing device in the form of afirst cutting device 120 that uses or is, e.g., a cutting blade, and aliner-removal mechanism 122. The housing 114 supports the dispensingmechanism 116, first and second cutting devices 118, 120, and aliner-removal mechanism 122. The housing 114 may include guide blocks123 that at least partially define a first lane or channel 124 and asecond lane or channel 126. The lanes 124, 126 may have cross-sectionalprofiles that are shaped and sized to allow the corresponding weightmaterial 12 to pass therethrough, be directed along a path that extendsbeneath a corresponding cutting device 118, 120. For example, in theconfiguration shown in FIG. 11 , the first lane 124 may have across-sectional profile shaped to receive flange-type weight material12, and the second lane 126 may have a cross-sectional profile shaped toreceive flat-type weight material 12. In other configurations, the firstlane 124 may have a cross-sectional profile shaped to receive flat-typeweight material 12, and the second lane 126 may have a cross-sectionalprofile shaped to receive flange-type weight material 12. In otherconfigurations, both of the first and second lanes 124, 126 can have thesame cross-sectional profile shape (e.g., both shaped to receiveflange-type weight material 12 or both shaped to receive flat-typeweight material 12). In configurations where both of the lanes 124, 126are shaped to receive the same type of weight material 12, the weightmaterial 12 received in the first lane 124 may have a different color,for example, than the weight material 12 received in the second lane126.

The dispensing mechanism 116 feeds the weight material 12 from one ormore of the spools 30 through the first and second lanes 124, 126 (i.e.,weight material 12 from one of the spools 30 may be fed through thefirst lane 124, and weight material 12 from another of the spools 30 maybe fed through the second lane 126). The dispensing mechanism 116 isable to simultaneously feed the weight material 12 from two differentspools 30 through the first and second lanes 124, 126. The dispensingmechanism 116 is also able to feed weight material 12 from one spool 30at a time through either of the first and second lanes 124, 126.

The dispensing mechanism 116 may include a dispensing motor 128, a driveroller 130, first and second engagement rollers 132, 134, and first andsecond engagement actuators 136, 138. The dispensing motor 128 drivinglyengages the drive roller 130 to cause rotation of the drive roller 130about a rotational axis that extends perpendicular to the direction inwhich the weight material 12 is dispensed through the lanes 124, 126.The drive roller 130 extends along its rotational axis across both ofthe lanes 124, 126 and contacts one side of the weight material 12passing through both of the lanes 124, 126.

The engagement rollers 132, 134 may be freely rotating rollers. Thefirst and second engagement actuators 136, 138 are drivingly connectedto the first and second engagement rollers 132, 134, respectively, toindependently linearly translate the first and second engagement rollers132, 134 toward and away from the weight material 12 in the first andsecond lanes 124, 126. In other words, the first and second engagementrollers 132, 134 are linearly translatable toward and away from thedrive roller 130 such that the first and second engagement rollers 132,134 can contact the strips of weight material 12 in the first and secondlanes 124, 126, respectively, to urge the strips of weight material 12in the first and second lanes 124, 126 into more intimate contact withthe drive roller 130 (i.e., to increase the friction between the driveroller 130 and the weight material 12). The engagement actuators 136,138 could be or include stepper motors, solenoids, servo motors,pneumatic actuators, or hydraulic actuators, for example, or any othersuitable type of actuator.

In this manner, the dispensing mechanism 116 can cause movement of theweight material 12 in either or both of the lanes 124, 126 by moving theengagement rollers 132, 134 toward the drive roller 130 to press theweight material 12 into contact with the drive roller 130, which allowsthe drive roller 130 to drive the weight material 12 through the lanes124, 126. The amount (i.e., length) of weight material 12 dispensed bythe dispensing mechanism 116 can be controlled by the amount of timeover which the engagement rollers 132, 134 urge the weight material 12against the drive roller 130 and/or by the rotational speed of the driveroller 130.

In some configurations, each of the engagement rollers 132, 134 may bemounted to a lift arm 133 (FIG. 12 ) that is movable with the engagementroller 132, 134 in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which theweight material 12 is dispensed through the dispensing mechanism 116. Asshown in FIG. 12 , the lift arms 133 may be generally U-shaped membersincluding a cross member 135 and arms 137 extending from opposite endsof the cross member 135. A distal end of each arm 137 may include aflange 139 that extends perpendicular to the arm 137.

As shown in FIG. 12 , the weight material 12 may be disposed between theengagement roller 132, 134 and the flanges 139 such that when theengagement roller 132, 134 is translated away from the drive roller 130(i.e., in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which theweight material 12 is dispensed through the dispensing mechanism 116),the flanges 139 can lift the weight material 12 off of the drive roller130 so that the drive roller 130 is no longer contacting the weightmaterial 12. When the weight material 12 is not contacting the driveroller 130, the weight material 12 does not move in the dispensingdirection through the dispensing mechanism 116. In some configurations,in addition to lifting the weight material 12 off of the drive roller130, the flanges 139 may press the weight material 12 against upperinner sides of the guide blocks 123 to prevent movement of the weightmaterial 12.

In some configurations, a weight material clamp 141 (FIGS. 11 and 12 )can selectively clamp down on the weight material 12 to further restrictmovement of the weight material 12 in the dispensing direction andprevent unwanted dispensing of the weight material 12. The weightmaterial clamp 141 may include a gripper top plate 143 and an actuatingdevice 145 (e.g., a hydraulic or pneumatic actuating cylinder or anyother actuating device) that moves the gripper top plate 143 intocontact with the weight material 12 to clamp the weight material 12relative to the housing 114.

To resume the dispensing of the weight material 12, the weight materialclamp 141 can release (unclamp) the weight material 12, the lift arm 133can lower the weight material 12 back onto the drive roller 130, and theengagement roller 132, 134 can press the weight material 12 against thedrive roller 130 to increase driving friction between the drive roller130 and the weight material 12, as described above.

In some configurations, guide rollers 117 (FIG. 9 ) may guide the weightmaterial 12 pulled from the spools 30 before entering the severing-headassembly 22, 24. As shown in FIG. 9 , each spool 30 may rest upon aplurality of freely rotatable spool rollers 119, which allow each spool30 to freely rotate about its axis of rotation. Motors 121 drivinglycoupled to the guide rollers 117 may at least assist in, mostly cause,or completely cause the pulling of the weight material 12 from thespools 30.

After the weight material 12 passes its corresponding guide roller 117,the weight material 12 may pass over one of a plurality of rotatablefeeder rollers 111, 112 (FIGS. 1-3 ) before going into its correspondingsevering-head assembly 22, 24. In some configurations, each feederroller 111, 112 may be driven by one of a plurality of actuators 113.The actuators 113 can be any suitable actuator such as, for example astepper motor or servo motor. In some configurations, each feeder roller111, 112 may have a circumferential groove with an interior profiledimensioned to generally match and receive the exterior profile of acorresponding type of weight material 12. In some configurations, theweight material 12 from the two rollers 111 may travel to the two lanes124, 126 of the lower severing-head assembly 22, and the weight materialfrom the roller 112 may travel to the upper severing-head assembly 24.

The first and second cutting devices 118, 120 may be or include one ormore cutting blades (as shown in FIG. 10 ), lasers and/or any othersevering or cutting tool. The first and second cutting devices 118, 120are mounted to first and second cut-head blocks 140, 142, respectively.The cutting devices 118, 120 may be positioned within the cut-headblocks 140, 142 such that sharp, cutting edges 144 of the cuttingdevices 118, 120 are disposed at an acute angle relative to a planealong which the weight material 12 is dispensed. A first severingactuator 146 and a second severing actuator 148 are mounted to thehousing 114 and are drivingly coupled to the first and second cut-headblocks 140, 142, respectively. Operation of the first and secondsevering actuators 146, 148 causes translation of the first and secondcut-head blocks 140, 142 (and thus, the cutting devices 118, 120) towardand away from the weight material 12 in the first and second lanes 124,126, respectively. The first and second severing actuators 146, 148 maybe or include stepper motors, solenoids, servo motors, pneumaticactuators, or hydraulic actuators, for example, or any other suitabletype of actuator. The first and second severing actuators 146, 148 areoperable independently of each other.

A control module may selectively operate the severing actuators 146, 148to cut the weight material 12 after a predetermined amount of the weightmaterial 12 has been dispensed from one or both of the lanes 124, 126.The predetermined amounts of the weight material 12 may be selected tobe an amount of weight material 12 needed for application at aparticular location of the wheel 14 for purposes of rotationallybalancing the wheel 14.

As shown in FIG. 10 , a wear plate or cutter anvil 149 (made, e.g., oftool steel) can be used to back each cutting device 118, 120 that cutsthrough the weight material 12. The blades of the cutting devices 118,120 may make contact with the upper edge of the cutter anvil 149, whichcauses wear to the cutter anvil 149. Therefore, in some configurations,the cutter anvil 149 may be selectively repositionable (e.g.,selectively rotatable about a centrally located pin fastener) to replacethe original upper edge with the lower edge, after the original upperedge (i.e., the surface being contacted by the blade of thecorresponding cutting device 118, 120) exhibits significant wear (e.g.,enough wear to adversely impact the performance and/or accuracy of thesevering-head assembly 22).

Referring now to FIGS. 11-14 , the liner-removal mechanism 122 mayremove the liner 13 from the weight material 12 in the lanes 124, 126before the weight material 12 is severed by the cutting devices 118,120. The liner-removal mechanism 122 may include a plurality ofliner-guide pins 150 and a liner-tensioning device 152. The housing 114may include a pair of mounting blocks 154 that partially define the lane124 and another pair of mounting blocks 154 that partially define thelane 126. Each pair of mounting blocks 154 has one or more of theliner-guide pins 150 mounted thereto. The liner-guide pins 150 extendacross a corresponding one of the lanes 124, 126 (i.e., in a directionperpendicular to the dispensing direction of the weight material 12through the lanes 124, 126). In the configuration depicted in FIG. 14 ,each pair of mounting blocks 154 has two liner-guide pins 150 mountedthereto.

As the weight material 12 passes beneath the liner-guide pins 150, theliner 13 gets wrapped around the liner-guide pins 150 and separated fromthe weight material 12. From the liner-guide pins 150, the liner 13 isfed into the liner-tensioning device 152. The liner-tensioning device152 may include two stacks of three tensioning rollers 156 (one stackfor each lane 124, 126). A middle one of the tensioning rollers 156 maybe mounted to a support block 158 that is spring-loaded by one or moresprings 160 in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axes of thetensioning rollers 156. Spring-loading the middle one of the tensioningrollers 156 maintains tension on the length of liner 13 located betweenthe corresponding liner-guide pins 150 and the liner-tensioning device152. Routing the liner 13 around the liner-guide pins 150 prevents theadhesive bond between the liner 13 and the weight material 12 fromlifting the weight material 12 as the liner 13 is removed.

As shown schematically in FIGS. 2 and 3 , a plurality of motor-drivenrollers 153 may be mounted to the frame 16 and may engage the strips ofliner 13 that have been removed by the lower and upper severing-headassemblies 22, 24. The rollers 153 may guide the removed liner 13 out ofthe apparatus 10 and may assist in driving or completely drive the liner13 out from the liner-removal mechanism 122. In some configurations, therollers 153 may be driven by a common shaft 155. Clutches mayselectively rotationally engage and disengage the shaft 155 toselectively drive one or more of the rollers 153 while allowing one ormore of the rollers 153 to be idle.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16 , in some configurations, the lowersevering-head assembly 22 may include one or more weight-material guides162 fixed to and extending outward from the housing 114. Theweight-material guide 162 includes a first end 164 fixed to the housing114, a second cantilevered end 166 and a curved guide surface 168extending from the first end 164 to the second end 166. The first end164 is positioned proximate to a weight-material-outlet 170 of one ofthe lanes 124, 126 such that weight material 12 dispensed from thesevering-head assembly 22 (i.e., dispensed out of theweight-material-outlet 170) can slide along the curved guide surface168, thereby bending the dispensed weight material 12 into a curvedshape that substantially matches the curved shape of the curved guidesurface 168. Bending the dispensed weight material 12 into the curvedshape may facilitate attachment of the dispensed weight material 12 ontoa weight-application tool (an end-of-arm tool) 174 of theweight-application apparatus 26.

The structure and function of the upper severing-head assembly 24 can besimilar or identical to that of the lower severing-head assembly 22, andtherefore, will not be described again in detail. That is, the uppersevering-head assembly 24 may include some or all of the featuresdescribed above and/or shown in the drawings with respect to the lowersevering-head assembly 22. In some configurations, however, the uppersevering-head assembly 24 may have only a single lane 124 (as opposed tofirst and second lanes 124, 126) and only a single cutting device 118(as opposed to first and second cutting devices 118, 120) or any numberof lanes 124, 126 and cutting devices 118, 120.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , the lower weight-application apparatus 26 mayinclude a robotic lower control arm 172 and the weight-application tool(end-of-arm tool) 174 disposed at a distal end of the lower control arm172. The lower control arm 172 is rotatably coupled at a proximal end tothe lower frame assembly 32 beneath the conveyor assembly 18. The lowercontrol arm 172 may include a plurality of arm segments 176 and aplurality of articulating joints 178 (e.g., pivoting joints) movablycoupling the arm segments 176 to each other and movably coupling theweight-application tool 174 to one of the arm segments 176. Actuators(e.g., electric motors, pneumatic actuators, and/or hydraulic actuators)can be drivingly connected to the arm segments 176 to cause movement ofone or more of the arm segments 176 relative one or more other armsegments and the frame 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 16-19 , the weight-application tool 174 iscapable of receiving one or more predetermined amounts of one or moreweight material 12 (i.e., one piece of weight material 12 at a time ormultiple pieces at one time) from the lower severing-head assembly 22and applying the weight material 12 onto one or more predeterminedlocations on the wheel 14.

The weight-application tool 174 may include a base 179, one or moreflat-weight wet-out tools (e.g., first and second flat-weight wet-outtools 180, 181) mounted to the base 179, and one or more flange-weightwet-out tools 182 mounted to the base 179. One of the articulatingjoints (e.g., a pivoting joint) 178 may connect the base 179 to thecontrol arm 172. The flat-weight wet-out tools 180, 181 can be used toapply one or more pieces of weight material 12 onto one or more flatsurfaces (e.g., a flat surface 183 (FIG. 22 ) on the car side or curbside of a wheel rim 85) of the wheel 14 (see, e.g., the wet-out tools ofU.S. Pat. No. 8,943,940). The flange-weight wet-out tool 182 can be usedfor applying a piece of weight material 12 onto a flange surface (e.g.,the inside radius of curvature of a flange lip 185 (FIG. 22 ) of a wheelrim flange) of the wheel 14. The flange-weight wet-out tool 182 can belocated adjacent or directly connected to one of the articulating joints178 (e.g., a pivoting joint) of the control arm 172. Each of the wet-outtools 180, 181, 182 can have a curve engagement surface 184 (i.e., acurved weight-receiving/applying face) on which a piece of weightmaterial 12 is attached, before the weight material is applied to thewheel 14. The pieces of weight material 12 can be attached to the curvedengagement surface 184 by magnetic attraction, vacuum, a light snap-fit,and/or any other suitable means. The engagement surfaces 184 may haveradii of curvature that substantially match the curvature of the guidesurface 168 of the weight-material guide 162.

The example weight-application tool 174 shown in FIGS. 16-19 includesthe first and second flat-weight wet-out tools 180, 181 and oneflange-weight wet-out tool 182. In some configurations, the firstflat-weight wet-out tool 180 is moveable relative to the base 179 onlyin a direction D1 (FIG. 19 ) perpendicular to its arc-shaped engagementsurface 184. The second flat-weight wet-out tools 181 may be moveablerelative to the base 179 in a direction D2 (FIG. 19 ) perpendicular toits engagement surface 184 and in another direction D3 (FIG. 19 )orthogonal thereto. The flange-weight wet-out tool 182 can pivot in adirection D4 (FIG. 17 ) (e.g., within a plane that is perpendicular tothe direction of movement of wet-out tool 180) relative to the base 179about a rotational axis defined by a fastener 186 extending through thebase 179 and an end of the flange-weight wet-out tool 182.

The movement in direction D1 of the first flat-weight wet-out tool 180can be actuated using a first actuator 188. The movements of the secondflat-weight wet-out tool 181 can be actuated using second and thirdactuators 190, 192. The second actuator 190 moves the second flat-weightwet-out tool 181 in the direction D2. The third actuator 192 moves thesecond flat-weight wet-out tool 181 in the direction D3. The pivotalmovement in direction D4 of the flange-weight wet-out tool 182 can beactuated using a fourth actuator 194 (FIG. 18 ). The actuators 188, 190,192, 194 can be any suitable type of actuator including, for example,electric motors, pneumatic actuators or hydraulic actuators. Each of theactuators 188, 190, 192, 194 can be operated independently of eachother. In this manner, any one or more of the wet-out tools 180, 181,182 can be moved in one or more of the directions D1, D2, D3, D4 at anygiven time by selectively actuating a desired one of the actuators 188,190, 192, 194 or a desired combination of the actuators 188, 190, 192,194. In order to maintain accurate control of where the pieces of weightmaterial 12 are positioned on the wheel 14, it may be desirable for theweight-application tool 174 to include a centering pin 196, with a pointat its leading end, which can be used as a reference to help the controlarm 172 to position the weight-application tool 174 in space.

The structure and function of the upper weight-application apparatus 28can be similar or identical to that of the lower weight-applicationapparatus 26. That is, the upper weight-application apparatus 28 mayinclude some or all of the features described above and/or shown in thedrawings with respect to the lower weight-application apparatus 26.Therefore, similar or identical features might not be described again indetail.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3 , the upper weight-application apparatus 28 mayinclude a robotic upper control arm 198 and an upper weight-applicationtool (an end-of-arm tool) 200. The upper control arm 198 may be movablymounted to the upper frame assembly 36 above the conveyor assembly 18and the wheel-crowder assembly 20. The structure and function of theupper control arm 198 may be similar or identical to that of the lowercontrol arm 172, and therefore, will not be described again in detail.In some configurations, the structure and function of upperweight-application tool 200 may be similar or identical to that of thelower weight-application tool 174 described above.

FIGS. 20 and 21 depict a configuration of the upper weight-applicationtool 200 that includes a base 202, a single wet-out tool 204, and anactuator 206. The base 202 may be mounted to a distal end of the uppercontrol arm 198. The actuator 206 may be mounted to the base 202 anddrivingly connected to the wet-out tool 204. The actuator 206 can beselectively actuated to move the wet-out tool 204 in a direction D5. Theactuator 206 can be any suitable type of actuator including, forexample, an electric motor, a pneumatic actuator or a hydraulicactuator.

The wet-out tool 204 includes a first end 208, a second end 210, and anengagement surface 212 that extends between the first and second ends208, 210. As described above with respect to the engagement surfaces 184of the lower weight-application tool 174, the engagement surface 212 mayengage a predetermined amount of weight material 12 dispensed from theupper severing-head assembly 24 via magnetic attraction, vacuum, a lightsnap-fit, and/or any other suitable means. In some configurations, lips214 that extend along the length of the engagement surface 212 mayprevent the weight material 12 from falling off of the engagementsurface 212. That is, the lips 214 and the engagement surface 212 maydefine a channel in which the weight material 12 may be received.

The engagement surface 212 may be curved about a first axis A1 that maybe parallel to the direction D5. The engagement surface 212 may alsotwist about a second axis A2 that is perpendicular to the first axis A1and extends through the first and second ends 208, 210. The second axisA2 curves around the first axis A1 and may be a longitudinal centerlineof the wet-out tool 204. The curved and twisted shape (i.e., helicalshape) of the engagement surface 212 may facilitate application of theweight material 12 onto a variety of wheel-surface shapes (e.g., itfacilitates wet-out of the adhesive 15 of the weight material 12 ontovarious surfaces of the wheel 14).

In some configurations, the upper weight-application tool 200 may alsoinclude a first mounting block 216 attached to a movable end 218 of theactuator 206 and a second mounting block 220 attached to the wet-outtool 204. The first mounting block 216 may include a recess 222 thatmovably receives the second mounting block 220. Pins 224 extending fromthe second mounting block 220 may be movably received in slots 226 inthe first mounting block 216. Springs 228 (FIG. 21 ) disposed around thepins 224 may bias the second mounting block 220 (and thus, the wet-outtool 204) toward one side of the recess 222. This movement of thewet-out tool 204 and biasing force of the springs 228 may facilitateapplication of the weight material 12 onto a variety of wheel-surfaceshapes (e.g., it facilitates wet-out of the adhesive 15 of the weightmaterial 12 onto various surfaces of the wheel 14). In someconfigurations, additional springs (not shown) may be disposed withinthe slots 226 and may bias the pins 224 upward toward an end of theslots 226 in a direction parallel to the direction D5.

With reference to FIGS. 1-22 , operation of the apparatus 10 will bedescribed. As described above, a wheel-balance machine (not shown) mayspin the wheel 14 to determine which location(s) on the wheel 14 requireadditional weight to rotationally balance the wheel. The wheel-balancemachine may communicate this information to a control module of theapparatus 10. Thereafter, the belts 46, 48 of the conveyor assembly 18may move the wheel 14 into an initial position within the apparatus 10.Once the wheel 14 is in the initial position, the posts 98 of thewheel-crowder assembly 20 may be moved into contact with the outercircumferential surface of the wheel 14 and may precisely position thewheel 14 relative to the machine reference axis. With the wheel 14 heldin place by the posts 98, the belts 46, 48 of the conveyor assembly 18may be spread apart from each other (i.e., the belts 46, 48 may moveaway from each other in the direction perpendicular to the direction inwhich the belts 46, 48 move the wheel 14 into the initial position).Spreading the belts 46, 48 apart from each other allows more space forthe weight-application apparatuses 26, 28 to access the locations on thewheel 14 at which the weight material 12 will be applied.

Based on the information from the wheel-balance machine, one or both ofthe severing-head assemblies 22, 24 may dispense one or morepredetermined amounts of weight material 12 from respective spools 30and remove the liner 13 from the weight material 12 to expose theadhesive 15. The wet-out tools 180, 181, 182, 204 of theweight-application apparatuses 26, 28 may engage corresponding pieces ofweight material 12 dispensed from the severing-head assemblies 22, 24.Once the weight material 12 is attached its corresponding the wet-outtool 180, 181, 182, 204 the corresponding severing-head assembly 22, 24may cut the predetermined amount of weight material 12 from the spool30. Once the predetermined amount of weight material 12 is cut from thespool 30, the control arm(s) 172, 198 and one or more of the actuators188, 190, 192, 194, 206 may move the wet-out tool(s) 180, 181, 182, 204to the predetermined position(s) on the wheel 14 and apply the weightmaterial 12 to the predetermined position(s). Once the one or morepieces of weight material 12 are applied to the corresponding locationson the wheel 14, the wheel-crowder assembly 20 may release the wheel 14and the conveyor assembly 18 may move the wheel 14 out of the apparatus10.

Referring now to FIGS. 23-25 , another weight-application tool 374 isprovided that can be incorporated into the weight-application apparatus26 of the apparatus 10 in place of the weight-application tool 174. Thestructure and/or function of the weight-application tool 374 may besimilar or identical to that of the weight-application tool 174described above, apart from any exceptions described below and/or shownin the drawings. Like the weight-application tool 174, theweight-application tool 374 is capable of receiving one or morepredetermined amounts of one or more weight material 12 (i.e., one pieceof weight material 12 at a time or multiple pieces at one time) from thelower severing-head assembly 22 and applying the weight material 12 ontoone or more predetermined locations on the wheel 14.

The weight-application tool 374 may include a base 379, one or moreflat-weight wet-out tools (e.g., first and second flat-weight wet-outtools 380, 381) mounted to the base 379, and one or more flange-weightwet-out tools 382 mounted to the base 379. One of the articulatingjoints (e.g., a pivoting joint) 178 may connect the base 379 to thecontrol arm 172, 198. The flat-weight wet-out tools 380, 381 can be usedto apply one or more pieces of weight material 12 onto one or more flatsurfaces (e.g., a flat surface 183 (FIG. 22 ) on the car side or curbside of a wheel rim 85) of the wheel 14 (see, e.g., the wet-out tools ofU.S. Pat. No. 8,943,940). The flange-weight wet-out tool 382 can be usedfor applying a piece of weight material 12 onto a flange surface (e.g.,the inside radius of curvature of a flange lip 185 (FIG. 22 ) of a wheelrim flange) of the wheel 14. The flange-weight wet-out tool 382 can belocated adjacent or directly connected to the articulating joints 178 ofthe control arm 172. Each of the wet-out tools 380, 381, 382 can have acurve engagement surface 384 (i.e., a curved weight-receiving/applyingface) on which a piece of weight material 12 is attached, before theweight material is applied to the wheel 14. The pieces of weightmaterial 12 can be attached to the curved engagement surface 384 bymagnetic attraction, vacuum, a light snap-fit, and/or any other suitablemeans.

Like the first flat-weight wet-out tool 180, the first flat-weightwet-out tool 380 may be moveable relative to the base 379 only in adirection D1′ (FIG. 25 ) perpendicular to its arc-shaped engagementsurface 384. Like the second flat-weight wet-out tool 181, the secondflat-weight wet-out tools 381 may be moveable relative to the base 379in a direction D2′ (FIG. 25 ) perpendicular to its engagement surface384 and in another direction D3′ (FIG. 25 ) orthogonal thereto. Like thewet-out tool 204, the flange-weight wet-out tool 382 may be movable in adirection D4′ (FIG. 24 ) parallel to the direction D3′.

The movement in direction D1′ of the first flat-weight wet-out tool 380can be actuated using a first actuator 388. The movements of the secondflat-weight wet-out tool 381 can be actuated using second and thirdactuators 390, 392. The second actuator 390 moves the second flat-weightwet-out tool 381 in the direction D2′. The third actuator 392 moves thesecond flat-weight wet-out tool 381 in the direction D3′. The movementin direction D4′ of the flange-weight wet-out tool 382 can be actuatedusing a fourth actuator 394 (FIGS. 24 and 25 ). The actuators 388, 390,392, 394 can be any suitable type of actuator including, for example,electric motors, pneumatic actuators or hydraulic actuators. Each of theactuators 388, 390, 392, 394 can be operated independently of eachother. In this manner, any one or more of the wet-out tools 380, 381,382 can be moved in one or more of the directions D1′, D2′, D3′, D4′ atany given time by selectively actuating a desired one of the actuators388, 390, 392, 394 or a desired combination of the actuators 388, 390,392, 394. In order to maintain accurate control of where the pieces ofweight material 12 are positioned on the wheel 14, it may be desirablefor the weight-application tool 374 to include a centering pin 396, witha point at its leading end, which can be used as a reference to help thecontrol arm 172 to position the weight-application tool 374 in space.

The engagement surface 384 of the flange-weight wet-out tool 382 may begenerally helical. For example, the engagement surface 384 of theflange-weight wet-out tool 382 may be curved about a first linear axisA1′ (FIG. 25 ) that may be parallel to the directions D3′ and D4′ andmay be inclined at an angle (i.e., a non-zero and non-perpendicularangle) relative to the first linear axis A1′ (i.e., the engagementsurface 384 slopes in the direction D4′ as the engagement surface 384curves around the first linear axis A1′). Such a helical shape of theengagement surface 384 of the flange-weight wet-out tool 382 mayfacilitate application of the weight material 12 onto a variety ofwheel-surface shapes (e.g., it facilitates wet-out of the adhesive 15 ofthe weight material 12 onto various surfaces of the wheel 14).

A first mounting block 416 may be attached to a movable end 418 of thefourth actuator 396 and a second mounting block 420 may be attached tothe flange-weight wet-out tool 382. A shown in FIG. 24 , the firstmounting block 416 may include a recess 422 that movably receives thesecond mounting block 420. Pins 424 extending from the second mountingblock 420 may be movably received in slots 426 in the first mountingblock 416. Springs 428 (FIG. 24 ) disposed around the pins 424 may biasthe second mounting block 420 (and thus, the flange-weight wet-out tool382) toward the middle of the recess 422 (or, in some configurations,toward one side of the recess 422). This movement of the flange-weightwet-out tool 382 and biasing force of the springs 428 may facilitateapplication of the weight material 12 onto a variety of wheel-surfaceshapes (e.g., it facilitates wet-out of the adhesive 15 of the weightmaterial 12 onto various surfaces of the wheel 14). In someconfigurations, additional springs (not shown) may be disposed withinthe slots 426 and may bias the pins 424 upward toward an end of theslots 426 in a direction parallel to the direction D4′.

Addition Embodiments

1. An apparatus for applying a weight to a wheel comprising:

at least one severing device capable of separating a piece of desiredweight from each of at least two provided lengths of weight materials;and

at least one weight application device capable of applying a severedpiece from each of at least two different weight materials to adifferent location on a wheel.

2. The apparatus of embodiment 1, further comprising a dispensing devicecapable of dispensing a provided length of two weight materials to saidsevering device, wherein each length of provided weight material can besevered into pieces of a desired weight.

3. The apparatus of embodiment 2, further comprising at least twolengths of different weight material, which can be severed into piecesof a desired weight.

4. The apparatus of embodiment 2, wherein said dispensing devicecomprises at least two spools, with each spool being capable of havingone length of the weight material wound thereon, and the weight materialcan be pulled from its respective spool and dispensed to said severingdevice.

5. The apparatus of embodiment 4, wherein said spools are disposed onebehind the other.

6. The apparatus of embodiment 5, wherein said dispensing device furthercomprises a guide roller for guiding the length of weight materialpulled from each spool to said severing device.

7. The apparatus of embodiment 6, further comprising a drive motor forrotating each said guide roller so as to at least assist in the pullingof the weight material from the spools.

8. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 4 to 7, further comprising atleast two lengths of different weight material, which can be severedinto pieces of a desired weight, wherein each said length of weightmaterial is wound around one of said spools.

9. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein said at leastone severing device is at least a first severing device and a secondsevering device, capable of severing a piece of the desired weight fromeach type of the provided weight material.

10. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein each saidsevering device comprises at least two severing mechanisms, with eachsevering mechanism being capable of severing a piece from thecorresponding length of weight material passing therethrough.

11. The apparatus of embodiment 10, wherein each of the severingmechanisms comprises a cutting head housing a cutting blade that ismovable so as to sever a piece of the desired weight from each type ofthe provided weight material.

12. The apparatus of embodiment 11, wherein each said severing mechanismcomprises a guide block with each guide block defining a channel with across sectional profile that allows the corresponding weight material topass through the channel, be directed along a path, and beyond onecorresponding cutting head.

13. The apparatus of embodiment 12, wherein the guide blocks each have achannel with a different cross sectional profile for allowing adifferent cross sectionally shaped weight material to pass therethrough.

14. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 1 to 13, further comprisingone backing removal mechanism for use with each severing mechanism, whenthe weight material is adhesive backed and the adhesive is protected bya backing, where each said backing removal mechanism facilitates theremoval of a corresponding length of backing from the weight material,before the corresponding piece of desired weight is severed.

15. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 11 to 14, wherein saidsevering device comprises a drive roller and each severing mechanismcomprises at least one engaging rollers, with each engaging roller beingindependently movable toward and away from said drive roller so as toindependently press one corresponding weight material against said driveroller and thereby enable said drive roller to move each weightmaterial, either separately or simultaneously, a desired distance pastits corresponding cutting head so as to control the weight of each pieceformed.

16. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 10 to 15, wherein eachsevering mechanism further comprises at least one weight material liftarm capable of separating one corresponding weight material fromcontacting said drive roller, while said drive roller is rotating.

17. The apparatus of embodiment 16, wherein each weight material liftarm is connected to one engaging roller so that each weight materiallift arm moves in unison with movement of its corresponding engagingroller.

18. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 10 to 13 and 15 to 17,wherein each severing mechanism further comprises a weight materialclamp, with each clamp being capable of maintaining the position of itscorresponding weight material within its corresponding severingmechanism.

19. The apparatus of embodiment 18, wherein each weight material clampcomprises a gripper top plate disposed so as to be movable so as toclamp its corresponding weight material in place.

20. The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 1 to 19, whereinsaid at least one weight application device is at least a first weightapplication device and a second weight application device.

21. The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 1 to 20, whereineach said weight application device comprises a tool mounted on the endof an implementation or control arm, with said tool being capable ofreceiving from one severing device, and applying onto a wheel, the pieceof desired weight severed from each of at least two provided lengths ofweight materials, and said control arm being capable of being actuatedto (a) position said tool adjacent said one severing device so as toreceive the piece of weight material and produce a loaded tool, (b)reposition said loaded tool adjacent different locations on the wheel,and (c) contact so as to bond each severed piece on said loaded tool toits own location on the wheel.

22. The apparatus according to embodiment 21, wherein said tool iscapable of being loaded with multiple severed pieces of weight materialreceived from said one severing device.

23. The apparatus according to embodiment 21 or 22, wherein at least onesaid weight application device comprises a pivot joint connecting itstool and control arm.

24. The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 21 to 23, whereineach said tool comprises at least one first wet out device for applyinga piece of flat weight material onto a flat surface of the wheel and atleast one second wet out device for applying a piece of flange weightmaterial onto a flange surface of the wheel.

25. The apparatus according to embodiment 24, wherein at least one saidtool further comprises at least one of said first wet out device or saidsecond wet out device.

26. The apparatus according to embodiment 25, wherein only said secondwet out device is located adjacent to said pivot joint.

27. The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 24 to 26, whereineach said wet out device has an arc shaped face on which a piece ofweight material is to be located, before the piece is applied to thewheel.

28. The apparatus according to embodiment 27, wherein said toolcomprises two spaced apart first wet out devices and one second wet outdevice, with one wet out device being moveable only in a directionperpendicular to its arc shaped face, the other first wet out devicebeing moveable in a direction perpendicular to its face and in anotherdirection orthogonal thereto, and said second wet out device beingmovable at one end so as to pivot about a pivot point located at itsother end.

29. The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 1 to 28, whereinsaid weight application device is capable of adhesively bonding thepiece of desired weight severed from each of at least two providedlengths of weight material at different locations on the wheel.

30. The apparatus according to embodiment 29, wherein said weightapplication device is capable of adhesively bonding the piece of desiredweight severed from a provided length of flat weight material and aprovided length of flange weight material at different locations on thewheel.

31. The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 1 to 30, whereinsaid apparatus is capable of processing continuous weight materials andsegmented weight materials, or any combination thereof 32. The apparatusaccording to any one of embodiments 1 to 31, further comprising a wheelconveyor assembly capable of moving a wheel into position relative tosaid weight application device to enable each severed piece of weightmaterial to by bonded to its own location on the wheel.

33. The apparatus according to embodiment 32, wherein said wheelconveyor assembly includes at least one first conveyor belt and at leastone second conveyor belt that can be moved apart or together, so as toremain in sufficient proximity to each other to allow contact with thewheel so the wheel can be moved by said belts to a desired locationrelative to said severing devices and each weight application device.

34. The apparatus according to embodiment 20, further comprising a wheelconveyor assembly capable of moving a wheel into position relative tosaid weight application device to enable each severed piece of weightmaterial to by bonded to its own location on the wheel, wherein saidwheel conveyor assembly includes at least one first conveyor belt and atleast one second conveyor belt that can be moved apart or together, soas to remain in sufficient proximity to each other to allow contact withthe wheel so the wheel can be moved by said belts to a desired locationrelative to said severing devices and each weight application device,and said belts can be moved far enough apart to allow sufficient accessto the wheel by said lower weight application device.

35. The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 32 to 34, whereinboth said belts can be moved at the same time, in opposite directionsand the same distance from a center line of a frame on which said beltsare mounted.

36. The apparatus according to any one of embodiments 1 to 35, furthercomprising a wheel crowder device capable of securing against movementof the wheel during the application of each piece of weight material bysaid weight application device.

37. A method of applying a weight to a wheel using an apparatusaccording to any one of the embodiments 1 to 36.

38. An apparatus for applying a weight material onto a wheel, theapparatus comprising:

a severing-head assembly comprising a housing, a severing device, and adispensing mechanism, wherein the dispensing mechanism positions apredetermined amount of the weight material relative to the severingdevice, and wherein the severing device is mounted for movement relativeto the housing to separate the predetermined amount of the weightmaterial from a source of the weight material;

an implementation or control arm including a first end mounted (e.g.,movably mounted), and a second end having a weight-application toolconfigured, to transfer the predetermined amount of the weight materialfrom the severing-head assembly to the wheel; and

a conveyor assembly comprising a first conveyor actuator, a secondconveyor actuator, a first continuous belt, a second continuous belt, aplurality of first rollers mounted on a first base member and supportingthe first continuous belt for continuous-loop movement relative to thefirst base member, and a plurality of second rollers mounted on a secondbase member and supporting the second continuous belt forcontinuous-loop movement relative to the second base member, wherein thefirst conveyor actuator drives at least one of the first rollers and atleast one of the second rollers, and wherein the second conveyoractuator drives the first base member relative to the second base memberin a direction that is parallel to rotational axes of the first andsecond rollers to adjust a spacing between the first and secondcontinuous belts.

39. The apparatus of Embodiment 38, wherein at least one of the firstand second base members is slidably mounted on a plurality of rails.

40. The apparatus of Embodiment 38 or 39, wherein the conveyor assemblyincludes a shaft that is rotatable relative to the first and second basemembers and rotationally fixed relative to the at least one of the firstrollers and the at least one of the second rollers.

41. The apparatus of Embodiment 40, wherein the at least one of thesecond rollers is slidable along an axial length of the shaft.

42. The apparatus of Embodiment 41, wherein the conveyor assembly ismounted on a frame and includes a linkage movably coupling the first andsecond base members to each other; and the shaft is disposed at a firstside of the frame, and the linkage is disposed at a second side of theframe opposite the first side.

43. The apparatus of Embodiment 42, wherein the linkage includes a firstlink, a second link pivotably attached to a first end of the first linkand pivotably attached to the first base member, and a third linkpivotably attached to a second end of the first link and pivotablyattached to the second base member; and an intermediate portion of thefirst link is pivotably attached relative to the frame.

44. The apparatus of any one of Embodiments 38 to 43, wherein the firstconveyor actuator is attached to one of the first and second basemembers, and movable with the one of the first and second base membersrelative to the other of the first and second base members in responseto actuation of the second conveyor actuator.

45. The apparatus of any one of Embodiments 38 to 44, wherein thedispensing mechanism includes a dispensing actuator, a drive roller, anengagement actuator, and a freely-rotating engagement roller, thedispensing actuator rotatably drives the drive roller about a rotationalaxis of the drive roller, the drive roller contacts a first side of theweight material the freely-rotating engagement roller contacts a secondopposite side of the weight material, and the engagement actuatortranslates the freely-rotating engagement roller in a directionperpendicular to the rotational axis of the drive roller.

46. The apparatus of Embodiment 45, wherein the dispensing mechanismincludes another severing device, a pair of severing-device actuators,another engagement actuator, and another freely-rotating engagementroller, the severing-device actuators are operable independently of eachother to move the severing devices independently of each other, and theengagement actuators are operable independently of each other totranslate the freely-rotating engagement rollers independently of eachother to selectively and independently cause movement of two differentsources (e.g., spools) of weight material.

47. The apparatus of any one of Embodiments 38 to 46, wherein thesevering-head assembly includes a pair of severing devices, the housingincludes first and second lanes receiving first and second predeterminedamounts of weight material, respectively, one of the severing devicesseparating the first predetermined amount of weight material from afirst source of weight material, another one of the severing devicesseparating the second predetermined amount of weight material from asecond source of weight material, and the dispensing mechanism drivingthe first and second predetermined amounts of weight material throughthe first and second lanes.

48. The apparatus of any one of Embodiments 38 to 47, wherein thesevering-head assembly includes a liner-guide pin and a plurality oftensioning rollers, the liner-guide pin is disposed between the severingdevice and the dispensing mechanism and defines a passageway throughwhich the predetermined amount of the weight material passes while aliner of the weight material wraps around the liner-guide pin andseparates from the weight material, the tensioning rollers engage theremoved liner, and two of the tensioning rollers are translationallyfixed relative to the housing, and one of the tensioning rollers istranslatable relative to the housing and is spring biased intoengagement with the removed liner.

49. The apparatus of any one of Embodiments 38 to 48, wherein thesevering-head assembly includes a cantilevered weight-material guidethat is fixed relative to the housing, the weight-material guideincludes a first end, a second end and a curved guide surface extendingbetween the first and second ends, the first end disposed proximate aweight-material-outlet of the housing through which the predeterminedamount of the weight material passes below the severing device, and theguide surface extends away from the housing to the second end of theweight-material guide.

50. The apparatus of Embodiment 49, wherein the weight-application toolincludes a curved engagement surface that engages the weight materialand faces the guide surface of the weight-material guide during atransfer of the weight material to the weight-application tool.

51. The apparatus of Embodiment 50, wherein the engagement surface has acurvature that matches a curvature of the guide surface.

52. The apparatus of any one of Embodiments 38 to 51, wherein theweight-application tool includes an engagement surface that engages theweight material, the engagement surface having shape that is curvedabout a first axis and twisted about a second axis that is perpendicularto the first axis.

53. The apparatus of any one of Embodiments 38 to 52, wherein theweight-application tool includes an engagement surface that engages theweight material, the engagement surface having helical shape.

54. An apparatus for applying weight material onto a wheel, theapparatus comprising:

a severing-head assembly comprising a housing, a dispensing mechanism, afirst severing device, and a second severing device, wherein the housingincludes first and second lanes receiving first and second predeterminedamounts of weight material, respectively, wherein the first severingdevice separates the first predetermined amount of weight material froma first source of weight material, wherein the second severing deviceseparates the second predetermined amount of weight material from asecond source of weight material, and wherein the dispensing mechanismdrives the first and second predetermined amounts of weight materialthrough the first and second lanes; and

an implementation or control arm movably mounted and having aweight-application tool for transferring the first and secondpredetermined amounts of weight material from the severing-head assemblyto first and second locations on a wheel.

55. The apparatus of Embodiment 54, wherein the weight material of thefirst source includes a first cross-sectional shape, and the weightmaterial of the second source includes a second cross-sectional shape.

56. The apparatus of Embodiment 54 or 55, wherein the weight material ofthe first source is a different material that the weight material of thesecond spool.

57. The apparatus of any one of Embodiments 54 to 56, wherein theweight-application tool includes a first engagement surface and a secondengagement surface that simultaneously engage the first and secondpredetermined amounts of weight material, respectively.

58. The apparatus of Embodiment 57, wherein the first and secondengagement surfaces have a common axis or parallel axes of curvature.

59. The apparatus of Embodiment 57, wherein the first and secondengagement surfaces have first and second axes of curvature,respectively, that are perpendicular to each other.

60. The apparatus of Embodiment 54, further comprising:

a conveyor assembly comprising a first conveyor actuator, a secondconveyor actuator, a first continuous belt, a second continuous belt, aplurality of first rollers mounted on a first base member and supportingthe first continuous belt for continuous-loop movement relative to thefirst base member, and a plurality of second rollers mounted on a secondbase member and supporting the second continuous belt forcontinuous-loop movement relative to the second base member,

wherein the first conveyor actuator drives at least one of the firstrollers and at least one of the second rollers, and the second conveyoractuator driving the first base member relative to the second basemember in a direction that is parallel to rotational axes of the firstand second rollers to adjust a spacing between the first and secondcontinuous belts.

61. The apparatus of Embodiment 60, wherein at least one of the firstand second base members is slidably mounted on a plurality of rails.

62. The apparatus of Embodiment 60, wherein the first conveyor actuatoris attached to one of the first and second base members and is movablewith the one of the first and second base members relative to the otherof the first and second base members in response to actuation of thesecond conveyor actuator.

63. The apparatus of Embodiment 60, wherein the conveyor assemblyincludes a shaft that is rotatable relative to the first and second basemembers and rotationally fixed relative to the at least one of the firstrollers and the at least one of the second rollers.

64. The apparatus of Embodiment 63, wherein the at least one of thesecond rollers is slidable along an axial length of the shaft.

65. The apparatus of Embodiment 64, wherein the conveyor assembly ismounted on a frame and includes a linkage movably coupling the first andsecond base members to each other, wherein the shaft is disposed at afirst side of the frame, and the linkage is disposed at a second side ofthe frame opposite the first side.

66. The apparatus of Embodiment 65, wherein the linkage includes a firstlink, a second link pivotably attached to a first end of the first linkand pivotably attached to the first base member, and a third linkpivotably attached to a second end of the first link and pivotablyattached to the second base member, and wherein an intermediate portionof the first link is pivotably attached relative to the frame.

67. The apparatus of any one of Embodiments 54 to 66, wherein thedispensing mechanism includes a dispensing actuator, a drive roller,first and second engagement actuators, and first and secondfreely-rotating engagement rollers, the dispensing actuator rotatablydrives the drive roller about a rotational axis of the drive roller, thedrive roller contacts a first side of weight material from the first andsecond sources (e.g., spools), the first freely-rotating engagementroller contacts a second opposite side of the weight material from thefirst source, the second freely-rotating engagement roller contacts asecond opposite side of the weight material from the second source, thefirst engagement actuator translates the first freely-rotatingengagement roller in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis ofthe drive roller, and the second engagement actuator translates thesecond freely-rotating engagement roller in the direction perpendicularto the rotational axis of the drive roller.

68. The apparatus of Embodiment 67, wherein the first freely-rotatingengagement roller is attached to and translatable with a first lift armthat includes flanges that lift a first length of weight material off ofthe drive roller when the first freely-rotating engagement roller andthe first lift arm are translated away from the drive roller, andwherein the second freely-rotating engagement roller is attached to andtranslatable with a second lift arm that includes flanges that lift asecond length of weight material off of the drive roller when the secondfreely-rotating engagement roller and the second lift arm are translatedaway from the drive roller.

69. The apparatus of any one of Embodiments 54 to 68, wherein thesevering-head assembly includes a liner-guide pin and a plurality oftensioning rollers, the liner-guide pin is disposed between the severingdevice and the dispensing mechanism and defines a passageway throughwhich the predetermined amount of the weight material passes while aliner of the weight material wraps around the liner-guide pin andseparates from the weight material, the tensioning rollers engage theremoved liner, and two of the tensioning rollers are translationallyfixed relative to the housing, and one of the tensioning rollers istranslatable relative to the housing and is spring biased intoengagement with the removed liner.

70. The apparatus of any one of Embodiments 54 to 69, wherein thesevering-head assembly includes a cantilevered weight-material guidethat is fixed relative to the housing, the weight-material guideincludes a first end, a second end, and a curved guide surface extendingbetween the first and second ends, the first end disposed proximate aweight-material-outlet of the housing through which the predeterminedamount of the weight material passes below the severing device, and theguide surface extending away from the housing to the second end of theweight-material guide.

71. The apparatus of Embodiment 70, wherein the weight-application toolincludes a curved engagement surface that engages the weight materialand faces the guide surface of the weight-material guide during atransfer of the weight material to the weight-application tool.

72. The apparatus of Embodiment 71, wherein the engagement surface has acurvature that matches a curvature of the guide surface.

73. An apparatus for applying weight material onto a wheel, theapparatus comprising:

a conveyor assembly;

an upper severing-head assembly mounted above the conveyor assembly andincluding a first housing, a first severing device, and a firstdispensing mechanism, wherein the first dispensing mechanism positions afirst predetermined amount of weight material from a first source (e.g.,spool) relative to the first severing device, and wherein the firstsevering device is mounted for movement relative to the first housing toseparate the first predetermined amount of weight material from thefirst source;

an upper control arm including a first end movably mounted above theconveyor assembly and a second end having a first weight-applicationtool configured to transfer the first predetermined amount of weightmaterial from the upper severing-head assembly to a first location onthe wheel;

a lower severing-head assembly mounted below the conveyor assembly andincluding a second housing, a second severing device, a third severingdevice and a second dispensing mechanism, wherein the second housingincludes first and second lanes receiving second and third predeterminedamounts of weight material from second and third sources (e.g., spools),respectively, wherein the second dispensing mechanism drives the secondand third predetermined amounts of weight material through the first andsecond lanes, wherein the second severing device is mounted for movementrelative to the second housing to separate the second predeterminedamount of weight material from the second spool, and wherein the thirdsevering device is mounted for movement relative to the second housingto separate the third predetermined amount of weight material from thethird source; and

a lower control arm including a first end movably mounted below theconveyor assembly and a second end having second and thirdweight-application tools configured to transfer the second and thirdpredetermined amounts of weight material from the lower severing-headassembly to second and third locations on the wheel.

74. The apparatus of Embodiment 73, wherein the conveyor assemblyincludes a first conveyor actuator, a second conveyor actuator, a firstcontinuous belt, a second continuous belt, a plurality of first rollersmounted on a first base member and supporting the first continuous beltfor continuous-loop movement relative to the first base member, and aplurality of second rollers mounted on a second base member andsupporting the second continuous belt for continuous-loop movementrelative to the second base member, the first conveyor actuator drivesat least one of the first rollers and at least one of the secondrollers, and the second conveyor actuator drives the first base memberrelative to the second base member in a direction that is parallel torotational axes of the first and second rollers to adjust a spacingbetween the first and second continuous belts.

75. The apparatus of Embodiment 74, wherein at least one of the firstand second base members is slidably mounted on a plurality of rails.

76. The apparatus of Embodiment 74, wherein the first conveyor actuatoris attached to one of the first and second base members and is movablewith the one of the first and second base members relative to the otherof the first and second base members in response to actuation of thesecond conveyor actuator.

77. The apparatus of Embodiment 74, wherein the conveyor assemblyincludes a shaft that is rotatable relative to the first and second basemembers and rotationally fixed relative to the at least one of the firstrollers and the at least one of the second rollers.

78. The apparatus of Embodiment 77, wherein the at least one of thesecond rollers is slidable along an axial length of the shaft.

79. The apparatus of Embodiment 78, wherein the conveyor assembly ismounted on a frame and includes a linkage movably coupling the first andsecond base members to each other, wherein the shaft is disposed at afirst side of the frame, and the linkage is disposed at a second side ofthe frame opposite the first side.

80. The apparatus of Embodiment 79, wherein the linkage includes a firstlink, a second link pivotably attached to a first end of the first linkand pivotably attached to the first base member, and a third linkpivotably attached to a second end of the first link and pivotablyattached to the second base member, and wherein an intermediate portionof the first link is pivotably attached relative to the frame.

81. The apparatus of any one of Embodiments 73 to 80, wherein the seconddispensing mechanism includes a dispensing actuator, a drive roller,first and second engagement actuators, and first and secondfreely-rotating engagement rollers, the dispensing actuator rotatablydrives the drive roller about a rotational axis of the drive roller, thedrive roller contacts a first side of weight material from the first andsecond sources, the first freely-rotating engagement roller contacts asecond opposite side of the weight material from the second source, thesecond freely-rotating engagement roller contacts a second opposite sideof the weight material from the third source, the first engagementactuator translates the first freely-rotating engagement roller in adirection perpendicular to the rotational axis of the drive roller, andthe second engagement actuator translates the second freely-rotatingengagement roller in the direction perpendicular to the rotational axisof the drive roller.

82. The apparatus of any one of Embodiments 73 to 81, wherein each ofthe upper and lower severing-head assemblies includes a liner-guide pinand a plurality of tensioning rollers, the liner-guide pin is disposedbetween the severing device and the dispensing mechanism and defines apassageway through which the predetermined amount of the weight materialpasses while a liner of the weight material wraps around the liner-guidepin and separates from the weight material, the tensioning rollersengage the removed liner, wherein two of the tensioning rollers aretranslationally fixed relative to the housing, and one of the tensioningrollers is spring biased into engagement with the removed liner.

83. The apparatus of any one of Embodiments 73 to 82, wherein at leastone of the upper and lower severing-head assemblies includes acantilevered weight-material guide that includes a first end, a secondend and a curved guide surface extending between the first and secondends.

84. The apparatus of Embodiment 83, wherein one of the first, second andthird weight-application tools includes a curved engagement surface thatengages weight material and faces the guide surface of theweight-material guide during a transfer of the weight material to theweight-application tool.

85. The apparatus of Embodiment 84, wherein the engagement surface has acurvature that matches a curvature of the guide surface.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled inthe art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples ofspecific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not beemployed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

None of the elements recited in the claims are intended to be ameans-plus-function element within the meaning of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f)unless an element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for,” orin the case of a method claim using the phrases “operation for” or “stepfor.”

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for applying a weight to a wheel comprising: at least one severing device capable of separating a piece of desired weight from each of at least two provided different lengths of weight materials; a single drive roller for separately driving the at least two provided lengths of weight materials along at least two corresponding paths so each length of weight material can be dispensed separately or at the same time; at least one weight application device capable of applying a severed piece of weight material, from at least one or each of the at least two provided different lengths of weight materials, to different locations on a wheel, and an engagement roller for each provided length of weight material, with each engagement roller being movable toward and away from the single drive roller such that, when a corresponding length of weight material is disposed between the engagement roller and the single drive roller, each engagement roller can be moved, independent of any other engagement roller, either (a) toward the single drive roller to press the corresponding length of weight material into contact with the single drive roller or (b) away from the single drive roller so the corresponding length of weight material can be moved away from contact with the single drive roller.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lift structure for lifting each length of weight material away from contacting the single drive roller, when its corresponding engagement roller has been moved away from the single drive roller a distance sufficient to permit such lifting.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least two lengths of different weight material, which can be severed into pieces of a desired weight, with at least one of the two lengths of different weight material being a flange weight material for being adhered to a flange surface of the wheel, the flange weight material having a cross-sectional notch that runs along its length.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising at least one wet out device, for applying a piece of the flange weight material onto the flange surface of the wheel, comprising an engagement surface for engaging the piece of flange weight material, and a lip that matches the notch of the piece of flange weight material so as to prevent the piece of flange weight material from falling off of the engagement surface.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the lip is disposed along one side of the engagement surface, and the at least one wet out device, for applying a piece of the flange weight material, further comprises an opposite lip disposed along an opposite side of the engagement surface so that these two lips and the engagement surface define a channel in which the piece of the flange weight material is received.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said severing device comprises said drive roller and each severing mechanism comprises at least one engaging rollers, with each engaging roller being independently movable toward and away from said drive roller so as to independently press one corresponding weight material against said drive roller and thereby enable said drive roller to move each weight material, either separately or simultaneously, a desired distance past its corresponding cutting head so as to control the weight of each piece formed.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each severing mechanism further comprises at least one weight material lift arm capable of separating one corresponding weight material from contacting said drive roller, while said drive roller is rotating.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein each weight material lift arm is connected to one engaging roller so that each weight material lift arm moves in unison with movement of its corresponding engaging roller.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one weight application device comprises: a mounting block, and at least one wet out device for engaging the severed piece of weight material during its application to a location on the wheel, with the wet out device being movable relative to the mounting block, under a biasing force, so as facilitate application of the severed piece of weight material onto various surfaces of the wheel, wherein the wet out device is movable vertically, laterally or both vertically and laterally, relative to the mounting block.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one severing device is at least a first severing device and a second severing device, capable of severing a piece of the desired weight from each type of the provided weight material, and each said severing device comprises at least two severing mechanisms, with each severing mechanism being capable of severing a piece from the corresponding length of weight material passing therethrough.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein each of the severing mechanisms comprises a cutting head housing a cutting blade that is movable so as to sever a piece of the desired weight from each type of the provided weight material, each said severing mechanism comprises a guide block with each guide block defining a channel with a cross sectional profile that allows the corresponding weight material to pass through the channel, be directed along a path, and beyond one corresponding cutting head, and the guide blocks each have a channel with a different cross sectional profile for allowing a different cross sectionally shaped weight material to pass therethrough.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one backing removal mechanism for use with each severing mechanism, when the weight material is adhesive backed and the adhesive is protected by a backing, where each said backing removal mechanism facilitates the removal of a corresponding length of backing from the weight material, before the corresponding piece of desired weight is severed.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each said weight application device comprises a tool mounted on the end of an implementation arm, with said tool being capable of receiving from one severing device, and applying onto a wheel, the piece of desired weight severed from each of at least two provided lengths of weight materials, and said control arm being capable of being actuated to (a) position said tool adjacent said one severing device so as to receive the piece of weight material and produce a loaded tool, (b) reposition said loaded tool adjacent different locations on the wheel, and (c) contact so as to bond each severed piece on said loaded tool to its own location on the wheel.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said tool is capable of being loaded with multiple severed pieces of weight material received from said one severing device.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein each said tool comprises at least one first wet out device for applying a piece of flat weight material onto a flat surface of the wheel, and at least one second wet out device for applying a piece of flange weight material onto a flange surface of the wheel.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said weight application device is capable of adhesively bonding the piece of desired weight severed from each of at least two provided lengths of weight material at different locations on the wheel.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said weight application device is capable of adhesively bonding the piece of desired weight severed from a provided length of flat weight material and a provided length of flange weight material at different locations on the wheel.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is capable of processing continuous weight materials and segmented weight materials, or any combination thereof. 